Samoa has
undergone major changes in its development since her first
independence celebration in 1962. From traditional celebration to
the modernized contemporary music and dance, Samoa is trying to
revive its old traditional events, and the same time, adopting new
ones.

This year’s celebration marked the 44th anniversary since New
Zealand handed over the governing of Samoa to the Samoan people. The
celebration saw the usual morning parades as schools and various
organizations marched smartly to where His Highness the Head of
State Malietoa Tanumafili 11 and guests were seated.

It was the first time Malietoa had inspected the police honored
guard in a wheelchair. Deputy Council member and former Prime
Minister Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi had the honor of raising the
flag to the sound of 44 gunshots.

American Samoa’s Lt Governor Togiola Tulafono presented the keynote
address, where he praised Samoa for not only being the first in the
pacific to gain independence, but the first to participate in
various international events.

The Independence celebration was the biggest event in the history of
Samoa, but sadly, other events like the Teuila festival seems to
take over the importance of independence. In the past, independence
was celebrated all throughout the week, and then gradually, it was
deemed down to four days until recently, to one day.

Gone are the days of lopa (Samoan version of sunflower seeds) and
sugar cane. Also gone are the days when Mulinuu was backed with
families who camped around the area from morning until the end of
celebration each day.

The variations in time frame of celebration have saddened some of
the public, especially those whose forefathers have fought for the
freedom of Samoa from colonial rule. Whilst independence has a
significant role in shaping Samoa government, “priority is given to
the development of tourism, hence the whole week allocated to the
celebration of Teuila festival.”

This years events saw the revival of the marching girls competition,
which has been absent from the independence celebration for awhile,
although they are still part

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saint Cubs march.
(Photo: Lagi Keresoma)

Don Bosco performing the sasa.
(Photo: Lagi Keresoma)

The
only school from Savaii, Tuasivi College performing the mauluulu.
(Photo: Lagi Keresoma)

of the teuila festival.
Now more schools are encouraged to participate in future
competitions.

The fautasi race is still the highlight of both celebrations with
this years race hailed as one of the best competition between
veteran racers Telefoni o le Vainuu from Manono, and newcomer Premo
Segavao from Siusega which was rowed by students of Don Bosco
school.

While Telefoni won the race, it was Segavao that won the heart of
the people, especially after some harsh remarks from the captain of
Telefoni. Fautasi race remains the highlight of every independence
celebration. The race was always dominated by boats from Manono,
Fagaloa and Apolima in the past Traditional oars will soon be
a thing of the past as spoon oars take over.

People are hoping to see the return of paopao(outrigger) and tulula
race which was popular amongst fishermen in the past.

Another sight for sore eyes was the return of the Church College
Western Samoa (CCWS) from Pesega band. Their return marked one of
the most significant events in past Independence celebration that of
marching bands competition.

The Independence committee hopes that Pesega with other bands will
continue to participate in more celebrations. This year’s
celebration also saw the decline in numbers of schools and
organizations participating in the morning parade.

The celebration of past Independence celebration have been marked by
both good and sad events.

In 2002, Samoa celebrated one of the most important independence
celebration of its history, as this was the year New Zealand Prime
Minister Hon. Helen Clark apologized for the past wrong done by the
then New Zealand government to the people of Samoa. This was in
reference o the epidemic of 1819 which almost wiped out the Samoa
population and the Black Saturday event which led to the death of
Mau Movement leader Tamasese Lealofi IV and nine other Mau
followers. Ms Clark even laid a wreath on the fallen leaders tomb at
Lepea.

The sad events includes the deaths of the late Deputy Council member
Mataia Visesio on the eve of the 2003 independence celebration and
Faumuina Vaitagutu Anapapa, who died a day after this years
celebration.